Rechargeable battery

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery and, more particularly, to a rechargeable battery for preventing detachment due to deformation of a resin member by strengthening the fixing force of the resin member connecting a bare cell with a protection circuit module. 
     The rechargeable battery according to the present invention includes a bare cell provided with a cap plate; a protection circuit module; and a resin member, wherein the rechargeable battery further includes a reinforcing member composed of a support plate part connected to one side of the cap plate and provided with a rivet through-hole; a resin fixing part integrally formed with one end of the support plate part, and bent at a certain angle in the direction of the protection circuit module and protruded therefrom; and a rivet connecting part fixing the support plate part to the cap plate by perforating the rivet through-hole. 
     According to the present invention, the present invention prevents the resin member from being deformed by the external force as the fixing force is increased by the fixing reinforcing member, and further prevents the resin member from being detached out of the bare cell.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, andclaims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an applicationfor RECHARGEABLE BATTERY earlier filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on 27 Oct. 2006 and there duly assigned Serial No.10-2006-0105085.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery and, moreparticularly, to a rechargeable battery which is not to be detached dueto deformation of a molded resin member by strengthening the fixingforce of the molded resin member connecting a bare cell with aprotection circuit module.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a rechargeable battery is a battery which may be usedrepeatedly by recharging, in contrast with a disposable battery.Rechargeable batteries are used as main power sources of portabledevices for communication, information processing and audio/video. Inrecent years, the rechargeable battery has rapidly developed andprevailed in the industry, since the rechargeable battery is a powersource having ultra-lightweight, high energy density, high outputvoltage, low self-discharge, environmental-friendly battery and longlife time.

The rechargeable battery is classified into a nickel-metal hydride(Ni-MH) battery and a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery in accordance with anelectrode active material, in particular the lithium ion battery isclassified into a liquid electrolyte lithium ion battery, a solidpolymer electrolyte lithium ion battery and a gel electrolyte lithiumion battery according to a kind of electrolytes. Also, the rechargeablebattery is classified into various kinds of a can-type battery and, apouch-type battery and other types of batteries according to the shapeof a container in which an electrode assembly is accommodated.

It is possible for the lithium ion battery to have ultra-lightweight,because the lithium ion battery has considerably higher energy densitythan that of the disposable battery. The lithium ion battery has anaverage voltage of 3.6V per cell, which is three times higher than 1.2 Vof a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery, thus thelithium ion battery has three times larger compact effects. Also, thelithium ion battery has advantages that the self-discharge rate of thelithium ion battery is less than 5% per month at 20° C. and thispercentage is ⅓ level of the nickel-cadmium battery or thenickel-hydrogen battery, and that the lithium ion battery is anenvironmental-friendly battery because of not using heavy metals such asCd or Hg, and that the lithium ion battery may be repeatedly rechargedor discharged over 1000 times in the normal state. Therefore, thelithium ion battery has been rapidly developing because of the abovedescribed advantages while information & communication technologies havebeen developing.

A bare cell of a conventional rechargeable battery is formed byproviding an electrode assembly composed of an anode plate, a cathodeplate and a separator into a can made of aluminum or aluminum alloy,covering an upper opening of the can with a cap assembly, and theninjecting the electrolyte therein and sealing the can. When the can ismade of Al or Al alloy as described above, the light weight of thebattery is achieved due to the aluminum's property and the battery doesnot corrode even after long periods of use under high voltages.

The sealed bare cell is electrically connected with a protection circuitmodule, and the protection circuit module is composed of safety devicessuch as a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device, a thermal fuse,a protection circuit board, and other battery parts.

Connecting terminals of the protection circuit board are electricallyconnected with the bare cell through separate lead plates, a cap plateprovided in the bare cell is connected to an anode terminal of theprotection circuit board by an anode lead plate, and a cathode terminalof the bare cell is connected to a cathode terminal of the protectioncircuit board by a cathode lead plate.

The bare cell and the protection circuit module, which are electricallyconnected with each other, are received in a separate hard pack in orderto tie-up the connection or form complete external appearance of therechargeable battery by means of the molded resin member made of a hotmelt resin.

On the other hand, if the molded resin member, which binds the bare cellto the protection circuit module electrically connected with the barecell, is twisted to a certain angle, problems may occur on theelectrical connections including the anode and cathode terminals of thebare cell, the lead plates, and the external terminal of the protectioncircuit board, thus the safety devices of the battery may not operate,even though the molded resin member is not totally broken down.

As described above, when the molded resin member is molded in the shapeof pack battery by using the melt resin, the molded resin member isdeformed by the twist or bend of the pack relatively compared with thebare cell, thus the molded resin member is detached from the bare cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved rechargeable battery an improved process for manufacturingrechargeable batteries.

It is another object to provide a rechargeable battery which will notbecome detached due to deformation of a molded resin member bystrengthening the fixing force of the molded resin member connecting abare cell with a protection circuit module.

The present invention has been contrived to resolve the problemsdiscovered to exist in conventional practice, and an object of thepresent invention is to provide a rechargeable battery preventing therechargeable battery from being bent or deformed by external forces byincreasing shear stress of the resin member to strengthen the fixingforce, thus preventing the resin member from being detached from thebare cell.

To achieve the above described object, the rechargeable batteryaccording to the present invention includes: a bare cell provided with acap plate; a protection circuit module electrically connected to upperpart of the bare cell; and a resin member poured into a gap between thebare cell and the protection circuit module and molded therein, whereinthe rechargeable battery further includes a reinforcing member composedof a support plate part connected to one side of the cap plate andprovided with a rivet through-hole; a resin fixing part integrallyformed with one end of the support plate part, and bent at a certainangle in the direction of the protection circuit module and protrudedtherefrom; and a rivet connecting part fixing the support plate part tothe cap plate by perforating the rivet through-hole.

The resin fixing part may includes at least one resin supporting holewhich supports the resin member since a perforating resin is moldedtherein.

The reinforcing member may be composed of a protrusing part in which therivet connecting part is integrally formed on one side of the cap plateand the upper part of the rivet connecting part is pressed.

The reinforcing member may have the shape of a right angle ‘L’ as theresin fixing part is bent at a right angle together with the supportplate part.

The reinforcing member may be formed as the resin fixing part is bent atan acute angle based on the support plate part.

The reinforcing member may be formed as the resin fixing part is bent atan obtuse angle based on the support plate part.

Further, the reinforcing member may further have a resin fixing part,which is corresponding to the resin fixing part pre-formed by taking theperpendicular at midpoint of the support plate part as an axis, on theother end of the support plate part.

Another feature of the present invention is that the rechargeablebattery includes a bare cell provided with a cap plate; a protectioncircuit module electrically connected to upper part of the bare cell;and a resin member poured into a gap between the bare cell and theprotection circuit module and molded therein, wherein the rechargeablebattery may further include a reinforcing member composed of a resinfixing part protruded toward the protection circuit module at one sideof the cap plate and supports the resin member by forming at least oneresin supporting hole supporting the resin member as the perforatingresin is molded; and a rivet connecting part formed on the bottom of theresin fixing part and attached to the cap plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendantadvantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which likereference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rechargeablebattery cut longitudinally according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of a reinforcing member attached to a capplate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 b is a cross sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 2a.

FIGS. 2 c, 2 d, 2 e, 2 f and 2 g are longitudinal cross sectional viewsof a reinforcing member attached to a cap plate according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a reinforcing member attached to a capplate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is a cross sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG.3 a.

FIGS. 3 c, 3 d, 3 e, 3 f and 3 g are longitudinal cross sectional viewsof a reinforcing member attached to a cap plate according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a cross sectional view illustrating a reinforcing memberattached to a cap plate taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating a rechargeable batteryhaving a molded resin member filled in a gap between a bare cell and aprotection circuit module cut longitudinally according to one embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of rechargeable batteries accordingto the present invention will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

As described in FIG. 1, a rechargeable battery according to oneembodiment of the present invention includes a bare cell 100, aprotection circuit module 300 which is electrically connected to theupper part of bare cell 100, and a resin member connecting bare cell 100with protection circuit module 300.

Bare cell 100 is composed of an electrode assembly 110, a can housingthe electrode assembly 110, and a cap assembly 130 sealing an upperopening of a can 120.

Electrode assembly 110 is formed by laminating and winding a anode plate111 on which a anode active material is applied, a cathode plate 112 onwhich a cathode active material is applied, and a separator 113interposed between anode plate 111 and cathode plate 112.

A anode tab 114 is electrically connected to anode plate 111 at theregion on which a anode coating portion is not formed, and a cathode tab115 is electrically connected to cathode plate 112 at the region onwhich a cathode coating portion is not formed. Here, an insulating tapemay be rolled up at the boundary region, on which electrode tabs 114 and115 are draw out of electrode assembly 110, in order to prevent theshort circuit between electrode tabs 114 and 115, thus between electrodeplates 111 and 112. And, the width of separator 113 is preferably largerthan that of anode plate 111 and that of cathode plate 112 to preventthe short circuit between the electrode plates.

An insulating case 190 may be installed on the upper surface ofelectrode assembly 110 to provide electrical insulation betweenelectrode assembly 110 and cap assembly 130 and to cover the upper endof electrode assembly 110, and insulating case 190 is made of a polymerresin. And, a through-hole 192 is formed at the center of insulatingcase 190 so that cathode tab 115 passes through, and an electrolytethrough-hole 191 is formed on the side of though-hole 192.

Can 120 made of Al or Al alloy has approximately rectangular shape, andcan 120 serves as a container of electrode assembly 110 and theelectrolyte as electrode assembly 110 is accommodated through the openupper end of the can. And, can 120 itself may serve as a terminal.

Cap assembly 130 is provided with a flat-type cap plate 140 with thesize and shape corresponding to the open upper end of can 120. Here, aterminal through-hole 141 is formed at the center of cap plate 140, anda tubular gasket 160 for insulating is installed between an electrodeterminal 150, which perforates terminal through-hole 141, and cap plate140. And, an insulating plate 170 is arranged on the lower surface ofcap plate 140, and a terminal plate 180 is formed on the lower surfaceof insulating plate 170. Further, the bottom of electrode terminal 150is electrically connected with terminal plate 180. Anode tab 114extruded from anode plate 111 is welded onto the lower surface of capplate 140, and cathode tab 115 extruded from cathode plate 112 is weldedonto the bottom end of electrode terminal 150 with the state that thecathode tab has the bend in a zigzag shape.

An electrolyte inlet 142 is formed in cap plate 140, and a plug 143 isinstalled to close the electrolyte inlet 142 after injecting theelectrolyte therein. Ball-shape plug 143 is made of Al or metalcontaining Al, and plug 143 is mechanically pressed into electrolyteinlet 142. And, plug 143 is welded onto cap plate 140 at the surroundingof electrolyte inlet 142 to seal the inlet. Meanwhile, a safety vent 144is formed in cap plate 140. Safety vent 144 breaks when inner pressurerises over the predetermined pressure, and thereby preventing ignitionand explosion of the battery.

And, cap plate 140 includes a reinforcing member 200 which prevents thecap plate from being detached from bare cell 100 as it is deformed bythe external force. That is, reinforcing member 200 prevents thedeformation against a bending test or a twisting test of therechargeable battery by increasing the shear stress of the resin member.

A lead tab 195 is formed on cap plate 140 for connecting bare cell 100to protection circuit module 300.

As shown in FIG. 5, an anode lead plate 310 is electrically connected tolead tab 195 which is electrically connected to cap plate 140 and anodetab 114. An anode terminal 311 is electrically connected to anode leadplate 310. Similarly, a cathode lead plate 320 is electrically connectedto lead tab 196 which is electrically connect to cathode electrodeterminal 150. A cathode terminal 321 is electrically connected tocathode lead plate 320. Therefore, anode terminal and cathode terminalof the battery are formed. Although the bare cell and the protectioncircuit module are connected by lead tabs 195 and 196 and lead plates310 and 320, the connecting force needs to be strengthened. Therefore, aresin member 101 is molded in place to fill the space between the barecell and the protection circuit module. Moreover, the embodiments ofpresent invention further introduce a reinforcing member 200 to furtherstrengthen the connecting force between bare cell and protection circuitmodule. Before injecting resin into the space between protection circuitmodule and bare cell, lead tab 195 is connected to anode lead plate 310by welding and another lead tab 196 is connected to cathode lead plate310 by welding. Therefore, protection circuit module 300 keeps lead tab195 and anode lead plate 310 clean and electrically insulated fromcathode terminal 150 after the injection of the resin. The cured resinmember maintains protection circuit module 300 spaced apart from cathodeterminal 150.

As shown in FIG. 2 a, reinforcing member 200 is composed of a flat-typesupport plate part 210; a resin fixing part 220 which is integrallyformed with one end of a support plate part 210, and bent at a certainangle in the direction of protection circuit module 300 and protrudedtherefrom; and a rivet connecting part 230 fixing the support plate part210 to the cap plate 140.

A rivet through-hole 211, through which rivet connecting part 230passes, is formed in support plate part 210 at the connecting regioncorresponding to rivet connecting part 230.

Rivet connecting part 230 is integrally formed on one side of cap plate140, and composed of a protruding part protruded toward protectioncircuit module 300. Rivet connecting part 230 serves as a rivet. Thatis, rivet connecting part 230 perforates rivet through-hole 211 formedin support plate part 210 and attaches support plate part 210 to capplate 140 when the upper part of the rivet connecting part is pressed.The rivet connecting part 230 geometrically corresponds to a recess 231which is disposed the lower surface of the cap plate 140.

Meanwhile, it is possible that the rivet connecting part is formed witha separate fixing means, for example a rivet, and a hole is formed atthe connecting region corresponding to support plate part 210 and capplate 140 respectively to perforate the rivet. That is, the rivet isinserted into the holes formed in support plate part 210 and cap plate140, and then support plate part 210 is attached to cap plate 140 bypressing the rivet exposed on the lower surface of cap plate 140 andupper surface of the support plate part 210.

Reinforcing member 200 is formed in the cross sectional shape of a rightangle ‘L’ as resin fixing part 220 is bent at a right angle with respectto support plate part 210 as described in FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 c, reinforcing member 200 is formed, forexample in the shape of an acute angle

as resin fixing part 220 is bent at an acute angle in the direction ofprotection circuit module 300, which is an upper part of support platepart 210.

As shown in FIG. 2 d, reinforcing member 200 is formed, for example inthe shape of an obtuse angle

as resin fixing part 220 is bent at an obtuse angle in the direction ofprotection circuit module 300.

Further, reinforcing member 200 may have a resin fixing part 220 formedon the other end of support plate part 210 corresponding to resin fixingpart 220 which is pre-formed on the support plate part 210 with takingthe perpendicular at midpoint of support plate part 210 as an axis.

That is, in case that reinforcing member 200 is formed in the shape of aright angle ‘L’ as resin fixing part 220 is bent at a right angle withrespect to support plate part 210, then another resin fixing part 220,which is symmetrically transferred with taking the perpendicular atmidpoint of support plate part 210 as an axis, may be further formed toform a C shape (i.e. channel shape)

as shown in FIG. 2 e. Accordingly, in case that reinforcing member 200is formed, for example in the shape of an acute angle

as resin fixing part 220 is bent at an acute angle in the direction ofprotection circuit module 300, then the shape of a truncated triable

is made as shown in FIG. 2 f, and in case that reinforcing member 200 isformed, for example in the shape of an obtuse angle

as resin fixing part 220 is bent at an obtuse angle, then the shape of atrough

is made as shown in FIG. 2 g.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3 a according to another embodiment,reinforcing member 200 is composed of a flat-type support plate part210; a resin fixing part 220 which is integrally formed with one end ofsupport plate part 210, and bent at a certain angle in the direction ofthe protection circuit module 300 and protruded therefrom; and a rivetconnecting part 230 attaching the support plate part 210 to the capplate 140.

As described above, a rivet through-hole 211, through which rivetconnecting part 230 passes, is formed in support plate part 210 at theconnecting region corresponding to rivet connecting part 230, and alsorivet connecting part 230 is composed of a protruding part which isintegrally formed on one side of cap plate 140.

Rivet connecting part 230 perforates the rivet through-hole 211 formedin the support plate part 210 and attaches the support plate part 210 tothe cap plate 140 when the upper part of the rivet connecting part ispressed.

Unlike the embodiment previously presented, at least one resinsupporting hole 221, which supports the resin member when theperforating resin is molded, is formed in resin fixing part 220.

Resin supporting hole 221 is molded by filling the melt resin, and thusthe fixing force of the resin member strengthens.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, reinforcing member 200 is formed in thecross sectional shape of a right angle ‘L’ as resin fixing part 220 isbent at a right angle with respect to the support plate part 210 as thesame manner as the previously described embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 c and 3 d, reinforcing member 200 is formed, forexample in the shape of an acute angle

as resin fixing part 220 is bent at an acute angle with respect tosupport plate part 210, or reinforcing member 200 is formed, for examplein the shape of an obtuse angle

as resin fixing part 220 is bent at an obtuse angle with respect tosupport plate part 210.

Moreover, reinforcing member 200 may have another resin fixing part 220formed on the other end of support plate part 210 corresponding to resinfixing part 220 which is pre-formed on support plate part 210 withtaking the perpendicular at midpoint of support plate part 210 as anaxis, and therefore it forms a C shape

as shown in FIG. 3 e, the shape of a truncated triangle

as shown in FIG. 3 f, or the shape of a trough

as shown in FIG. 3 g.

As shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, a reinforcing member 200 according toanother embodiment is composed of a resin fixing part 220 protrudedtoward protection circuit module 300 at one end of cap plate 140; and arivet connecting part 230 attaching the resin fixing part 220 with capplate 140.

At least one resin supporting hole 221, which supports the resin memberas the perforating resin is molded, is formed in resin fixing part 220.Resin supporting hole 221 has the same structure and function as anotherembodiment of reinforcing member 200.

A rivet connecting part 230 is stepped-formed in the bottom of resinfixing part 220, and a connecting hole 145, through which rivetconnecting part 230 passes, is formed at the corresponding region onwhich rivet connecting part 230 is fixed. Reinforcing member 200 isfixed to cap plate 140 by pressing rivet connecting part 230 passingthrough connecting hole 145 on the bottom of cap plate 140.

Meanwhile, even though it is not illustrated, reinforcing member 200 isfixed to cap plate 140 by connecting rivet connecting part 230 passingthrough connecting hole 145 to the bottom of cap plate 140 by means of aseparate fixing means, for example a recess, in which a rivet isinserted.

Protection circuit module 300 is composed of a protection circuit boarda connecting terminal electrically connected to the protection circuitboard, and a lead plate connecting bare cell 100 with the connectingterminal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the protection circuit substrate is arrangedhorizontally parallel to cap plate 140 in the upper part of bare cell100 and connected with cap plate 140, and is formed in the same size andshape as cap plate 140, which is an opposing surface of bare cell 100,thus the protection circuit, which devises the safety of the battery bypreventing the overcharge and the over-discharge, is achieved.

And, an external terminal which is to be connected with an externaldevice is formed on the external surface of the protection circuitboard, and a connecting terminal is electrically connected to theinternal surface, which is an opposing surface of cap plate 140, thusthe protection circuit, the external terminal and the connectingterminal are electrically connected to each other via the conductivestructure passing through the protection circuit board.

The connecting terminal is electrically connected with bare cell 100 viathe lead plate, wherein the lead plate is made of typical nickelmaterial.

The resin member is formed by pouring the melt resin into the gapbetween bare cell 100 and protection circuit module 300.

Hereinafter, the function of the rechargeable battery according to oneembodiment of the present invention will be described.

The rechargeable battery according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is configured that bare cell 100 and protection circuit module300 which is electrically connected with bare cell 100 are combined bythe resin member molded of the melt resin.

The resin member, which attaches protection circuit module 300 to barecell 100, is easily deformed by the bending or the twisting due to theexternal force because the material of the resin member is differentfrom that of bare cell 100 and the area of the resin member is not largeenough. Therefore, the resin member lowering a fixing force is easilydetached from the bare cell by the external force.

To prevent the deformation of the resin member by increasing thevulnerable fixing force of the resin member, as shown in FIG. 1, areinforcing member 200 is installed on one side of cap plate 140, whichis the upper end of bare cell 100 of the rechargeable battery.

Reinforcing member 200 may have various shapes as shown in FIGS. 2 b to2 g and 3 b to 3 g. That is, the reinforcing member is composed of asupport plate part 210 which is fixed to one side of cap plate 140 by arivet connecting part 230; and a resin fixing part 220 which isintegrally connected to one end of support plate part 210 and is bent ata right angle with respect to support plate part 210 in the direction ofprotection circuit module 300. The bent resin fixing part 220strengthens the shear stress of the resin member, and thereby increasingthe fixing force of the resin member.

And, resin supporting hole 221, in which the melt resin passes through,is formed in resin fixing part 220 as described in FIGS. 3 a and 4 a.The melt resin closes resin supporting hole 221 by being inserted intoresin supporting hole 221 and molding it. Therefore, the mechanicalbinding force of the resin member, reinforcing member 20, and bare cell100 may be further increased.

Therefore, reinforcing member 200 prevents the deformation against abending test or a twisting test of the rechargeable battery byincreasing the shear stress of the resin member, and prevents the resinmember from being detached from bare cell 100.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments or the drawings described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims. Obviously, othermodifications and variations of the present invention may be possible inlight of the foregoing descriptions by the skilled man in the art. It istherefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claimsthe invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

As described above, the present invention prevents the resin member frombeing deformed by bending or twisting due to the external force as thereinforcing member increasing the fixing force is included therein, andprevents the resin member from being detached therefrom.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rechargeable battery, comprising: a bare cellprovided with an electrically conductive cap plate; a protection circuitmodule electrically connected to the bare cell; a resin member molded tofill a gap between the bare cell and the protection circuit module andmolded therein; and a reinforcing member which comprises: a supportplate connected to one side of the cap plate and perforated by a rivetthrough-hole; a resin fastener integrally formed together with one endof the support plate and bent at an angle with respect to the supportplate in a direction of the protection circuit module, the resinfastener protruding from the cap plate towards the protection circuitmodule; and a rivet formed from an electrically conductive material anddisposed on the one side of the cap plate and the rivet integrallyformed with the cap plate as a monolithic single body, the rivetperforating the rivet through-hole and fixing the support plate to thecap plate, the rivet geometrically corresponding to a recess which isformed on an opposite side of the cap plate.
 2. The rechargeable batteryof claim 1, wherein at least one resin supporting hole perforates theresin fastener and supports the resin member when a perforating resin ismolded in the resin supporting hole.
 3. The rechargeable battery ofclaim 1, wherein the rivet is integrally formed on one side of the capplate, the rivet comprises a protrusion protruding from the cap platetowards the protection circuit module, and an upper part of the rivet ispressed.
 4. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein the rivet isintegrally formed on one side of the cap plate, the rivet comprises aprotrusion protruding from the cap plate towards the protection circuitmodule, and an upper part of the rivet is pressed.
 5. The rechargeablebattery of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member forms a right anglewhen the resin fastener is bent at a right angle with respect to thesupport plate.
 6. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein thereinforcing member forms a right angle when the resin fastener is bentat a right angle with respect to the support plate.
 7. The rechargeablebattery of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member forms an acute anglewhen the resin fastener is bent at an acute angle with respect to thesupport plate.
 8. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein thereinforcing member forms an acute angle when the resin fastener is bentat an acute angle with respect to the support plate.
 9. The rechargeablebattery of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member forms an obtuse anglewhen the resin fastener is bent at an obtuse angle with respect to thesupport plate.
 10. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein thereinforcing member forms an obtuse angle when the resin fastener is bentat an obtuse angle with respect to the support plate.
 11. Therechargeable battery of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing member furtherincludes another resin fastener on the other end of the support plate,the another resin fastener is formed symmetrically to the resin fastenerwhich is pre-formed on the support plate with respect to a perpendicularline taken at midpoint of the support plate.
 12. The rechargeablebattery of claim 6, wherein the reinforcing member further includesanother resin fastener on the other end of the support plate, theanother resin fastener is formed symmetrically to the resin fastenerwhich is pre-formed on the support plate with respect to a perpendicularline taken at midpoint of the support plate.
 13. A rechargeable battery,comprising: a bare cell provided with an electrically conductive capplate; a protection circuit module electrically connected to the barecell; a resin member molded to fill a gap between the bare cell and theprotection circuit module and molded therein; and a reinforcing membercomprising: a resin fastener protruding from the cap plate towards theprotection circuit module and disposed at one side of the cap plate, andthe resin fastener supporting the resin member by bearing at least oneresin supporting hole which supports the resin member when a perforatingresin is molded; and a rivet formed from an electrically conductivematerial and the rivet integrally formed with the cap plate as amonolithic single body, the rivet protruding from a bottom of the resinfastener, the rivet disposed on the one side of the cap plate, the rivetgeometrically corresponding to a recess which is formed on an oppositeside of the cap plate.
 14. A rechargeable battery, comprising: a barecell provided with an electrically conductive cap plate; a protectioncircuit module electrically connected to the bare cell; a resin membermolded to fill a gap between the bare cell and the protection circuitmodule; and a reinforcing member comprising a support plate connected toone side of the cap plate and perforated by a rivet through-hole, aresin fastener integrally formed together with one end of the supportplate and bent to protrude at an angle in the direction of theprotection circuit module, and a rivet formed from an electricallyconductive material and integrally formed with the cap plate as amonolithic single body, the rivet extending through the rivetthrough-hole and attaching the support plate to the cap plate, the rivetdisposed on the one side of the cap plate, the rivet geometricallycorresponding to a recess which is formed on an opposite side of the capplate.
 15. The rechargeable battery of claim 14, with the rivetintegrally formed together with the cap plate on one side of the capplate.
 16. The rechargeable battery of claim 14, with the rivet formedseparately from the cap plate.
 17. A rechargeable battery, comprising: abare cell provided with an electrically conductive cap plate; aprotection circuit module electrically connected to the bare cell; aresin member molded to fill a gap between the bare cell and theprotection circuit module; and a reinforcing member comprising a resinfastener protruding toward the protection circuit module at one side ofthe cap plate and supporting the perforating molded resin member by atleast one resin supporting hole on the resin fastener, and a rivetformed on a bottom of the resin fastener and attached to the cap plate,the rivet formed from an electrically conductive material and integrallyformed with the cap plate as a monolithic single body, the rivetdisposed on the one side of the cap plate, the rivet geometricallycorresponding to a recess which is formed on an opposite side of the capplate.